Craig Watt
Feature Writer

Photo: Craig Watt

Hatton-Lazcano Presser!

May 23, 2008

By Craig Watt

On Thursday in Manchester, IBO Junior-welterweight champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton (43-1, 31 KO's) met former world challenger and top rated contender Juan Lazcano (37-4-1, 27 KO's) in the final head to head press conference. In stark contrast to his build up with Floyd Mayweather in December 2007, both fighters were full of respect for each other. Both fighters promised a great battle for the IBO title and recognised linear championship at 140 pounds. Frank Maloney started the conference by announcing the release of a further 350 tickets to meet demands even though 55,000 had already been sold - a record live gate in the history of British boxing.

The 33-year-old Lazcano joked to the watching media about the news, " I would just like to thank Frank Maloney for adding another 350 Ricky Hatton fans to the 55,000 I will already be facing on Saturday. Many Thanks."

CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Shaefer acknowledged the fan appeal of the 29-year old Hatton. He stated, "No fighter on the planet is currently capable of selling a live gate of 55,000 tickets. He is undoubtedly the most popular fighter in world boxing and Lazcano promises to deliver a tough and exciting fight. This is a fight of styles- styles that will deliver a great fight to the watching boxing fans in the UK on Sky Box Office and in the USA on VERVUS."

This message was supported by Lou Debella, promoter of IBF jr-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi who defends his title on the same bill against Australian Lovemore N'dou. He said, " I agree with Richard that there is only one Ricky Hatton in world boxing – no other fighter will be able to deliver a live gate of 55,000 fans except Ricky Hatton. He is an exciting fighter and one who the boxing world is keen to see- both sides of the Atlantic."

Frank Maloney, who co-promotes the show even questioned whether a planned October showdown with the IBF champion, "Magic Man" Malignaggi should be held in the UK. He said, "I know there is a desire to send Ricky back to the USA to fight Malignaggi but I do feel that if that fight was held in the UK we could sell in excess of 70,000 tickets, perhaps even more."

Although appearing in the chief support, Malignaggi was his usual brash self and contributed to proceedings by saying, "I am the best 140 pound fighter on this table. Whilst this is for another day I do believe I will defeat Ricky Hatton." Hatton refused to be drawn on the comments by responding, "Lets leave that until another time – you will get your chance to show who is the best at 140 pounds. You think it is Paulie Malignaggi – I know it is Ricky Hatton but we both have to win or any challenge just won't happen."

The former two weight world champion Hatton vented some passion that he wanted to silence some critics in his performance against pound for pound number one Floyd Mayweather. He stated, " I do have some frustration to vent and some critics to shut up with my performance against Mayweather. You will see that in my performance on Saturday. I know that great champions come back from defeat and I will show in my homecoming that the best at 140 pounds is Ricky Hatton and always has been. I am undefeated at jr-welterweight and the linear champion. Juan Lazcano is my perfect opponent in that he comes to fight, he will be in my face and I won't have to go to find him."

Lazcano was confident in his approach. He stated, "I have never been mentally ready for boxing greatness, but my birthday his year fell on Easter Sunday and I felt some sort of resurrection took place mentally with me. I am now convinced that I have the ability, temperament and mental focus that I can beat a tough son of a gun in Ricky Hatton. Believe me I am here to win and spoil the party. I am the Hispanic Causing Panic. Its going to be a great occasion, a great fight and two boxing warriors will collide."

Hatton concluded that the meaning of this fight was to get back to winning ways and repay the fans for their loyalty, especially given they have been to the USA for his last four fights. He commented, "I don't think that 35,000 fans will ever cross the Atlantic again for any fighter and I respect the money they have spent and the time they have spent supporting me in 44 fights. It is amazing that we can sell over 55,000 tickets coming off a defeat where I was knocked on my ass. I could have taken an easy fight – a tune up but this is what I want and need. Lazcano is a warrior and will come to fight and all the fans who have supported me can have a great night. This fight is all about me getting back to winning ways and then we can look to bigger fights down the track. I have a three fight deal with Golden Boy Promotions and I know they will want to take me to the US and clean up the jr-welterweight division. This may be my last fight in the UK."

The fight will be screened live in the UK on Sky Box Office on PPV from 7.30pm GMT with the fight shown live on VERVUS in the US at 3.30pm ET / 12.30 pm PT.